An exploration of policy levers needed to accelerate the transition to a circular economy and policy recommendations to create a tipping point where a transition to a low-carbon circular economy becomes inevitable.

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The context

Climate change mitigation and circular economy policies are attracting significant attention from European and national policymakers. 2015 saw two milestone accomplishments with the Paris Agreement and Circular Economy Package.

These two policy fields are complementary and, together, they could deliver on the transformational change that is needed to decarbonise our economies. Yet, their integration is far from complete, with climate change policies largely overlooking the mitigation potential of circular economy strategies.

The need for systems change will come sooner than we think.

The report

The report explores policy levers to accelerate the transition to the circular economy, and provides policy recommendations to create a tipping point whereby a transition to a low-carbon circular economy is not just necessary but also inevitable.

It is based on legal policy mapping and stakeholder consultation, providing a broad European perspective combined with insights into a selection of member states, and focusing on two value chains (housing and mobility) and four material streams (aluminium, concrete, plastic and steel). It forms part of a broader project led by the European Climate Foundation's (ECF) Industrial Innovation for Competitiveness initiative (i24c).

Policy makers need to engage now to transition to a low-carbon circular economy.